Haiti’s Prime Minister Says Fight Against Gangs Far from Over, Urges Global Help

Haiti’s interim Prime Minister, Garry Conille, expressed the dire situation his country faces in the battle against armed gangs, stating, “We are nowhere near winning this,” during an event at the United Nations General Assembly. Conille’s remarks come as Haiti continues to grapple with escalating violence that has seen powerful gangs seize control of large portions of the country, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Conille called for increased international support, stressing that without global intervention, Haiti is unlikely to restore order and stability. The plea comes as a UN-backed, Kenya-led multinational security force attempts to stem the violence. Despite the deployment of approximately 400 out of a pledged 3,100 troops, the situation remains dire. Haiti’s people, according to Conille, hold “cautious optimism” but are urgently awaiting meaningful progress.

The surge in gang violence began to spiral in February 2024 when armed groups launched widespread attacks on government institutions, prisons, and civilians. The violence has displaced more than 700,000 Haitians, many of whom now live in makeshift camps. Additionally, the instability has led to a surge in Haitians fleeing the country, seeking safety elsewhere.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated the need for greater funding to support Haiti’s National Police and the ongoing security mission. He pointed out that the financial support thus far has been “totally inadequate,” urging global donors to fulfill their pledges.

The United States has been a significant backer of the multinational mission, recently committing an additional $160 million in development and security aid. Furthermore, Washington is considering transitioning the mission into a full UN peacekeeping operation, a move that has garnered the support of Kenya’s President William Ruto. However, this idea faces skepticism from Haitians due to the legacy of past UN interventions, including a deadly cholera outbreak and accusations of sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers.

The Haitian government continues to emphasize that while international force is critical, long-term solutions also require addressing systemic corruption and strengthening the national police force.